Why Christian youth ministries avoid secular youth work/ers

Posted on May 23, 2013

I like listening, and I like coffee, so I network.

I caught up with a local youth worker recently, in my efforts to network. Specifically, I wanted to talk with her about how traditionally ‘secular’ and traditionally ‘faith-based’ youth workers could co-operate. I think the two have some key differences, but on the other hand, modern Western youth work has mostly grown from passionate Christians who ventured outside the box to connect with children and young people. Sure, they were sometimes paternalistic but that’s not just a problem from the past.

I have written on a similar topic – seeking to broaden out our view of what we consider ‘Christian youth work’ to be. Aaron Garth, fellow Godbotherer, from Ultimate Youth Worker has written on this issue, and his contention is that workers in ‘youth ministry’ need to update their theory and skills so that they can work with today’s young people who are mostly outside the bounds of church as we know it.

Back to the conversation with the youth worker. She mentioned that she had met with a number of church youth pastors, given them opportunities to help out with various community events/programs for young people, and then heard nothing back. Reading between the lines, this episode that had led her to abandon partnering with churches. Which is a bad thing.

I realise there are deficiencies with the way this youth worker responded to the setback, but I want (as a Christian) to look at the issues from the churches’ angle.

What are the 3 main factors that lead churches to avoid true partnership with non-Christian organisations?

Identity as a Christian Tribe: the strength of Christian youth ministries is that we create a strong sense of belonging that is often missing in professional-driven youth work. We usually don’t focus on narrow target groups and thereby we can include an interesting bunch of young people, which tends to an interesting, and attractive, ‘tribe’. However, a strong sense of tribe can lead to outsiders being viewed as a threat to the integrity and stability of the group.

Cross-purposes: Christian youth ministry has an overriding Christian purpose – that’s obvious. Non-Christian youth work will not have the same overriding purpose. So, in a bit of Christian brain-fade, we assume that non-Christian youth work is basically useless, or a serious waste of time and money.

Putting your faith into words everyone can understand: You might be surprised that I haven’t included ‘fear of compromise’ in this list. It is usually quoted in discussions of these kinds. That is, that a Christian youth worker will (apparently) need to compromise by not doing _______________ (insert essential Christian practice) or being obligated to not make public ______________ (insert essential Christian belief). But most secular agencies and youth workers are more than willing to have a conversation or argument about these things. Instead, I suggest Christian youth leaders are a tinsy-bit intimidated by the thought of defending and explaining their faith to people who aren’t part of the tribe.

From my tone, you can tell that I think this is an unsatisfactory state of affairs.

5 Comments

This topic will either send us into the dizzying heights of christian fame or it will be the death of us. I love youth groups I think they are amazing. But, as you so rightly put… I am concerned that if we don’t begin to learn the skills that will take us out of our cozy church based comfort zone the Church as we know it will fade in to insignificance for a whole generation.

I am not expecting a massive change in our framing of youth ministry education… but there are a few easy areas that we can incorporate into their education (by the way youth ministers need an education.. less than 15% in Australia do). Group work, Referral options, Mental health etc.

Thanks Aaron – someone commenting! I really have not done much work on this website :(. BTW, where did you get the stat on 15% youth ministers not having enough training. I reckon there’d be a few youth ministry training people who would be interested in that. If accurate, that’s a terrible stat.

Hi Dave – what a great topic! I would suggest that the hallmark of Jesus-following activity is more in doing things His Way rather than in what we say. It is the doing or not doing that people notice. Like Francis of Assisi said – preaching the gospel without saying a word. So with that in mind I would suggest reference to the A&Q – even if you have to do a new set in relation to youth work. I reckon that if we are truly following The Way, we DO differently because we THINK differently. I also think that, initially, we don’t have to fly the God banner. All we have to do is LIVE the life and work the walk … and, if we are praying unceasingly as Paul encourages us to do, then there will come a time when we can speak about The Source.

Great comment Rondah! I agree that because adolescence is time of questing, spirituality has to be part of the conversation, and has to include the possibility that ‘spirituality’ includes a “more-than-human” dimension

This is not just a youth focused response but rather encompasses all age groups, in the welfare, social worker sector. It is hard to believe that I was unaware until recently that welfare as we know it was initially provided by Church groups (and there seems to be a shift back), and that a majority of the organisations which provide support in the community services sector are still Church based.

I know from professional practice in the communities services sector, it was undesirable to mention the G (God) word or S (Spirituality) word. It was subtly and strongly discouraged personally and professionally. I remember I stated at a large organistaiton planning day a decade ago, that we stated we undertook a “holistic assessment” to best meet the individuals needs, yet there was no reference to this area or non area of their lives.

To say one was connected to God or the Supreme Energy of the universe seemed to imply, one was an eccentric, unprofessional a flake and a fanatical ‘do-gooder’. As time has progressed, empirical evidence has proved that the G and S word are important components of assessment and case management for individuals especially relating to Mental Health as it assists in recovery.

As Adolescence is a phase of questioning and seeking to find a sense of self – it seems like a conspiracy to leave God out of one’s life plan. I wonder why we are not encouraged to provide resources and information to the biggest strength base available, the holy spirit within that connects to God (insert whatever terminology you wish to use here).

Humanity – myself included only seem to value something if it comes at a cost, if it is Church or God related it seems it should be free and then it is not considered professional or as valuable. Society seems to implement this belief. This does not bother me, as a result I get paid to do what we all should be doing anyway, caring for and sharing our knowledge, resources and gifts with others.

I have not proclaimed my relationship with God like a banner, but I do not shrink to state where my value and belief base comes from if asked. And it has amazed me at how often I am told by those I work with, that God is pretty much all they see in relationship to me, not by what I say, but by how I am.